Teaching Physical Education
Postgraduate Certificate in Education Secondary Level (11-16 years with post-16 enhancement experience)
Organiser and Tutor: Dr Penny Lamb
PGCE Course Overview
The Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE), one-year, full-time, Secondary course prepares graduates to teach in secondary schools (age range: 11-16 years with post-16 enhancement experience). The course is assessed against 'M' Level criteria - leading to Qualified Teacher Status and 60 credits at Masters Level.
This is an interesting, often very demanding but tremendously rewarding age group to work with as pupils mature from early adolescence to adulthood. The course is designed to equip you to teach your main subject and to make an effective contribution to the work of schools beyond your subject.
The UEA partnership scheme has attracted national and international attention for its successful close inter-weaving of school and university-based work. It provides you with the opportunity to engage in the systematic study of theory and current good practice both in schools and in the School of Education and Lifelong Learning at UEA. The PGCE course has received a series of excellent grades in OfSTED inspections.
The 36 week long course includes an extensive 24 weeks of placement in two of our partnership schools near, or within reasonable distance of, your home. This emphasis on practical teaching provides you with a broad range of teaching experience in different schools.
At university sessions you will discuss experiences with others on the course and learn more about the theory and practice of teaching. Expect to be involved in a range of teaching methods, including lectures, seminars and practical workshops.
Subject Specific Information - Physical Education
Our well-designed PGCE programme prepares students to enter the teaching profession as newly qualified teachers of high quality physical education, with the appropriate subject specific knowledge and pedagogical understanding in learning, teaching and assessment relevant to the subject. Students will enter the workplace ready to contribute to developing pupil's competence and confidence to take part in a range of physical activities that become a central part of their lives, both in and out of school.
As part of the professional standards of the PGCE course all students are required to purchase UEA physical education kit to wear whilst engaged in university and school-based training.
We are able to offer you access to a full range of sports and health related exercise facilities in our Sportspark, which can support both your personal and professional development.
Additional Awards
National Governing Body Coaching and Officiating Awards are also incorporated into the Physical Education Curriculum programme, including:
- Teacher's Award Lawn Tennis Association Key Stage 3/4
- Teacher's Award English Cricket Board Key Stage 3
- Teacher's Award National Rounders Association Intermediate Award
- Umpire's Award Hockey Association Foundation
- Teacher's Award British Gymastics Trampolining
- Volleysport Award English Volleyball
- Teaching Award Aerobics
Students also have the opportunity to gain a range of coaching and officiating NGB Awards offered as weekend courses across different sports and at different levels, and to develop their subject knowledge through a series of subject clinics.
Entry Requirements
You should possess a good (minimum 2:2) degree in Physical Education, Sports Science or Sports Studies that includes a module mix of pedagogical, coaching and National Curriculum activity-based modules, together with a sound practical and personal competence in some, if not all of the main activity areas of the Physical Education National Curriculum. You should have a realistic idea of the demands of teaching Physical Education in a secondary school, either through recent observation or voluntary work in a department. Candidates will be expected to hold a current national pool life saving certificate at the beginning of the course.
Please note: For entry to the course in September 2013, applicants will also be required to have attained a Grade C GCSE Science (or an equivalent qualification) prior to making their application.
Observational Experience in School
Candidates should ensure that on their application form they are able to demonstrate that they have gained recent experience, with children of the relevant age range, in school. Click on the link to access further information about how you can gain school observational experience.
High Recommendation
Who better to endorse the quality and positive experience of our course than our past students!
Check out what our recent graduates, Ben Player and David Spicer have to say about their decision to train to teach.
Career Opportunities
Many of our trainees are appointed to teaching posts in Norfolk and Suffolk. Career opportunities within secondary teaching are now far wider and more diverse than ever before. Within a few years of beginning teaching many are able to gain promotion to leadership positions within their subject or for pastoral responsibilities. There may also be opportunities to become an Advanced Skills Teacher (AST), this allows effective classroom teachers to gain recognition for their excellence in the classroom without needing to move to more administrative positions. After experience of middle management successful teachers can progress to senior management as Senior Teacher, Deputy Head or Head.
Secondary Teaching Information Event
Our next Secondary Teaching Information Event will take place in October 2013.
In the meantime, if you have any queries, please do contact the UEA PGCE Admissions Team.
Application Procedure and Selection Process
All candidates starting the PGCE in 2013 are required to pass the professional skills tests before starting the course. More information can be found via the Teaching Agency website.
Candidates are required to apply via the Graduate Teacher Training Registry (GTTR). This is the central "clearing house" which deals with all applications for PGCE courses across the country. Application forms for 2013 entry are available from October 2012.
Candidates are required to supply an academic referee as their first reference if they have completed their studies in the last 5 years.
Primary candidates are advised by the GTTR to make their application by 1st December 2012 - however please note that we will be accepting applications (through the GTTR) after this date if we have vacancies.
There is no specified deadline for Secondary candidates. However, all candidates are advised to apply as early as possible in the application cycle.
NB: You are advised to ensure that your principal referee is available to submit their reference immediately upon request (usually electronically via GTTR). Your chosen institution will not receive your application until the principal referee has submitted their reference. Please see the GTTR Referee Guidance for information on selection.
Candidates are encouraged to prepare thoroughly. Application forms should be able to demonstrate not only your depth of subject knowledge but also your enthusiasm and commitment to a career in teaching. We recommend that you familiarise yourself with our PGCE Teacher Training Prospectus and the information available from the Teaching Agency and related educational establishments. These sources will help you to gain knowledge of the current issues facing teaching, specifically in the subject area for which you are applying. During interview you will be expected to be able to answer questions about these issues, and what has prompted your desire to choose teaching as a career.
Candidates are normally chosen on the basis of their application form, references and an interview.
Training Incentives
TA Training Bursaries are available for the PGCE Secondary Physical Education course for entry in 2013.
Click on the link to access further information about Financial Information.
Further Enquiries
If you would like to discuss your application further please contact us by email: pgceinfo@uea.ac.uk, by telephone: +44 (0)1603 592855 or write to us:
PGCE Admissions
Room 0.20, School of Education and Lifelong Learning
Admissions, Recruitment & Marketing
University of East Anglia
Norwich Research Park
Norwich NR4 7TJ UK
Online Prospectus
Our PGCE Teacher Training Prospectus for September 2013 entry is available to download in Adobe Acrobat (pdf) format.
Thank you for taking the time to view this website. We hope it has given you some idea of what we have to offer and that, if you are thinking of training to be a teacher, you will consider applying to us.
